Reference Data

Five human RAD51 homologs have been identified: XRCC2, XRCC3, RAD51B, RAD51C, and RAD51D. Each of these homolgs interacts with one or more of the others, with all of the proteins involved in one complex or multiple smaller complexes. XRCC3 (x-ray cross complementing) was first identified as a human gene complementing the DNA damage sensitivity, chromosonal instability and impaired growth of the mutant hamster cell line irs1SF. This fact coupled with XRCC3 being a member of the RAD51 gene family have implied a role in the repair of DNA damage by homologous recombination.